The Karachi-leg of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 will allow 8,000 spectators as the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wedneday approved 25 percent crowd attendance for it.
However, the NCOC has barred children under the age of 12 from entering the stadium.
Notably, the Karachi-leg will stage PSL matches from January 27 and February 7 before it moves to Lahore.
However, to ensure the health and safety of all the players and the attendees, the spectators’ entry will be subject to strict Covid-19 protocols.
As per the protocols, individuals above the age of 12 years must be fully vaccinated, valid vaccination certificates must be shown at the time gaining access to the stadium, wearing of masks inside the venue will be mandatory and violating the NCOC guidelines shall be liable to be evicted out of the stadium.
Commenting on the development, PCB Chief Operating Officer and HBL PSL Tournament Director Salman Naseer said: “Spectators are the essence of any sport event and in this background, we now hope to set the stage with 25 per cent crowds to attend the Karachi matches of the HBL PSL 2022. As a responsible organisation, we completely understand our obligations in relation to health and safety of the fans and will leave no stone unturned in strictly implementing the NCOC guidelines.”
“However, we will also require complete and unconditional support from the spectators so that they and others can continue to enjoy the matches in a safe and secure environment. This is something they can do by simply following the guidelines,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PCB has said that the NCOC will make a decision on the Lahore-leg matches, scheduled in the Gaddafi stadium between 10-27 February, in the coming time.
Earlier, the PCB had announced that the upcoming PSL season will be staged in two phases with the first one to be held in Karachi while the second and last phase will be held in Lahore. Each phase will consist of 15 matches each.
Following an opening ceremony, defending champions Multan Sultans will take on hosts and 2020 champions Karachi Kings at the National Stadium in Karachi, which will begin at 7pm PKT.
Later, 2019 champions Quetta Gladiators will face 2017 winners Peshawar Zalmi on the following day.
The PCB had further announced that final will be held in Lahore.
Schedule for PSL 7:
{Matches from January 27 to February 7 will be played in Karachi; matches from Feb 10-27 to be played in Lahore)
27 Jan – Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans
28 Jan – Quetta Gladiators vs Peshawar Zalmi
29 Jan – Multan Sultans vs Lahore Qalandars; Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators
30 Jan – Peshawar Zalmi vs Islamabad United; Karachi Kings vs Lahore Qalandars
31 Jan – Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans
1 Feb – Islamabad United vs Multan Sultans
2 Feb – Peshawar Zalmi vs Lahore Qalandars
3 Feb – Quetta Gladiators vs Islamabad United
4 Feb – Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi
5 Feb – Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars; Peshawar Zalmi vs Multan Sultans
6 Feb – Karachi Kings vs Islamabad United
7 Feb – Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars
10 Feb – Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi
11 Feb – Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans
12 Feb – Islamabad United vs Quetta Gladiators
13 Feb – Peshawar Zalmi vs Karachi Kings; Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators
14 Feb – Islamabad United vs Karachi Kings
15 Feb – Peshawar Zalmi vs Quetta Gladiators
16 Feb – Multan Sultans vs Karachi Kings
17 Feb – Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi
18 Feb – Multan Sultans vs Quetta Gladiators; Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings
19 Feb – Lahore Qalandars vs Islamabad United
20 Feb – Quetta Gladiators vs Karachi Kings; Multan Sultans vs Islamabad United
21 Feb – Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi
23 Feb – Qualifier (1 vs 2)
24 Feb – Eliminator 1 (3 vs 4)
25 Feb – Eliminator 2 (Loser Qualifier 1 vs Winner Eliminator 1)
27 Feb – (Qualifier v Eliminator 2) Final